EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (KSDK) - Two Metro East women were arrested last weekend after attempting to return merchandise they allegedly stole from a local Walmart, the Madison County Sheriff's Office said Monday.

According to Captain William Dimitroff, a sheriff's office spokesman, the incident took place Friday, January 11 just after 6:45 p.m. at the Walmart in the 6600 block of Godfrey Road. Deputies responded to the store and spoke with management, who indicated two women tried to return items at the customer service desk.

Employees told deputies that the women trying to return the merchandise were previously identified as suspects in a retail theft at a nearby Walmart store, Dimitroff said.

Deputies learned the items that were being returned had been stolen from the other store.